CPI blames Rajiv for allowing Anderson to leave India

Amid a raging debate over who secured a safe exit for Union Carbide chief Warren Anderson in the aftermath of the Bhopal gas tragedy, the CPI today said it would not have been possible without the nod of the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Amid a raging debate over who secured a safe exit for Union Carbide chief Warren Anderson in the aftermath of the Bhopal gas tragedy, the CPI today said it would not have been possible without the nod of the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

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"It is very obvious that the decision for sending out a foreigner of such a high standing, the head of an MNC, could
not have been made without the nod from the highest quarter.

And the highest quarter happened to be Rajiv Gandhi, who was at that time the Prime Minister," CPI General Secretary A B
Bardhan told reporters.

He felt an attempt was being made by Congress leaders to shield the late Prime Minister from cricitism and said, "I can
understand the worry of Congress leaders. But let them not think that this country is made up of gullible fools who do
not understand things."

Bardhan, who was briefing the media on the discussions at the three-day National Council meeting of the party which
concluded here yesterday, accused both the UPA and NDA governments of failing to protect the interests of Bhopal gas
victims and sought an effective law for fixing liability in case of industrial disasters.

He said a comprehensive liability bill should be in place for expeditious compensation to the victims of industrial
disasters.